Illinois Republicans push to be rid of Chicago by making it the 51st state – but will that help the conservative cause, or hurt it?

Illinois just tried to jump on the newest trend of separating cities from states with a new proposal, HR101. If approved, this would detach the city of Chicago and make it the 51st state. While this is nothing new for Illinois, which has been fighting for years to distance itself from the more liberal and powerful city, the idea is growing in popularity.

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Republicans who pushed for the House Resolution argue that the city ends up controlling the rest of the state. “Our traditional family values seem to be under attack at every angle,” said Rep. Brad Halbrook.

“The issue of life, the issue of marriage, the school curriculum. Everything these people hold near and dear to their hearts — our hearts — is under attack by far-left legislators from the city.”

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The potential loss of traditional values isn’t the only reason many seek to separate city from state. Chicago has a population of approximately 2.7 million and a very different political stance.

“The reality is the city of Chicago is competing with New York City and L.A. and San Francisco, and (downstate is) competing against rural Indiana and rural Missouri,” Rep. C.D. Davidsmeyer said. “The policies that come down from Chicago are actually pushing our economic opportunity away.”

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The Windy City also differs on important issues such as gun control and illegal immigration. Chicago wants stricter firearm regulation while the rural state supports sanctuary for gun owners. And, when it comes to open borders, the more conservative state pushes for immigration control while the blue city follows the Democrats’ lead.

Proponents for the split claim their tax dollars go mostly toward the city, while opponents say the rest of the state...